[ he settles into the silence after a moment, soaking up the warmth from his best friend and trying to find solace in those words. this place makes it so difficult to want to get close to anyone, even those he knows from home, but it's not like he can help it. it's not like he doesn't have feelings or hopes and desires beyond this city and its weird rules. the second kiss to his forehead causes his eyes to flutter open, peering at noct through the dark, and he remembers the occasional nights where they'd tuck themselves together like this after staying up all night gaming or marathoning movies. they've changed from that, just a little, but everything else... it's still very much the same. ]

You don't have to do it on your own, okay? I'm... I've got your back no matter what. [ ever at your side he thinks, but that's definitely too embarrassing to say out loud. ] I guess I was just – I wanted to be with you for a while. Like, I dunno. Had to make sure we're still on the same page. 

[ had to make sure he was still there. ]